We accessed Pond Peak via Olinghouse Road 11/12/2011. No locked gate. There was private land, but they noted that you had to drive 1 mile through this land, and then there was a sign for public access.

The gate has been reopened and there is now access to Pond Peak. However there is no stopping in Olignhouse and there are private property signs on both sides of the road through the ghost town.
There has always been access to Pond Peak from Palomino Valley. I don't know the name of the road but there are a few ranches on the way up to the peak.

There are several dirt roads and double tracks that approach the canyons of the Pah Rah’s from near the junction of highways 446 & 447 near Nixon, NV. I used the dirt track located 1 miles west of the junction to reach the mouth of Coal Creek canyon. From this point it is possible to do a loop traversing both Pah Rah Mtn and Virginia Peak back to the entrance of the canyon. It is best to stick to the ridges and stay out of the brush choked canyon.

If you want to traverse the main ridge - about 12 miles or so. Then start at Olinghouse and head up to Pond Peak. Then head north to Virginia Peak and then Pah Rah Mountain. That is probably about 28 miles round trip. Point to Point is possible. Just go from Olinghouse and finish down at 446. Remember this is BIA land, but you can certainly get picked up there, on the road to Nixon.

Alternatively do a 28 mile or so horseshoe, start at Spanish Springs Peak trailhead. Then around to Pond Peak and the main ridge. But return heading east towards Moses Rock and back to 445.